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Heat, Storms Bring Misery To Millions

Last updated on Sunday, July 1, 2012

(UNDATED) - Millions of people across nine states were left without power Saturday to deal with thermostat-popping temperatures after a fierce line of thunderstorms and high winds pounded parts of the Midwest and Atlantic Seaboard.

Two people were killed in Virginia, crushed by felled trees, police said.

The storms moved east from Indiana through Ohio and into West Virginia and the nation's capital, according to utility companies.

In all, nearly 4 million homes were left without power; 1 million in Virginia alone.

The aftermath of the storm was compounded Saturday by a forecast of another sweltering summer day.

Temperatures tipped the 100-degree mark Friday in St. Louis, Richmond, Nashville, Washington and Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.

In many places, it felt much hotter than the thermostat reading.

"If you don't have a good pair of boots, it'll burn clear through to your feet," said roofer Zach Bruner in Evansville, Indiana, where he said the 103-degree temperatures were spiking to 130 on the job site.

The bad news? Relief is nowhere in sight as the extreme heat is expected to continue through the weekend.

Fueled by the high temperatures, the severe thunderstorms brought with them winds gusting to 80 miles per hour, the weather service said.

Catherine Estelle Ford of Scottsville, Virginia, died when she stepped out of her car and was trying to make a phone call when a tree fell on her, according to the Albemarle County Police Department.

A second person in Virginia died in similar fashion, said Sgt. Matthew Powers.

The Jackson County medical examiner in western Missouri is investigating three deaths that may be related to the heat, according to the Kansas City Health Department.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through Sunday for eastern Missouri, including St. Louis, where temperatures are expected to soar up to 106 this weekend.

"Heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke are a real threat," the weather agency said. "This is especially true because of the longevity of this heat wave and the effects of extreme heat are cumulative."

In Memphis, where highs hit 105 degrees Friday, firefighters went door to door, checking on residents. Churches and faith-based institutions were also urged to ask people to check on their neighbors and relatives.

"Please, if you know of someone who doesn't have air conditioning or who might be struggling with the heat, just stop by and see how they are doing," Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr. said.

The weather service posted excessive heat warnings for 12 states, from Nebraska to New Jersey, with watches and advisories posted for at least six other states.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake activated the city's emergency operations to coordinate storm recovery operations. In West Virginia, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency for the entire state after the powerful storms.

Atlanta opened cooling centers as the heat index was expected to soar to 110 degrees Saturday.

And at the Congressional Country Club, play was suspended in the third round of the AT&T National as trees and tents came crashing down and the PGA venue was left without power.

The third round was slated to begin at 7:10 a.m. Saturday, but the course lay eerily empty as the tournament announced it was closed to all fans in the interest of safety.